The deadly wildfires in California are being fueled by fierce winds blowing from the interior parts of California towards the coast.

Although the Santa Anas are a routine part of life for people living in southern California, the winds are particularly violent and destructive this time around, experts say.

Dry conditions, gusty winds, and low relative humidity are all hitting San Diego County at the same time leading to critical fire concerns for the region.

We are under a First Alert Weather Alert until 7 this evening due to Santa Ana winds and their impacts. Red Flag Warnings and High Wind Warnings remain in place through this evening across Southern California,

The Palisades, Eaton, and Hurst fires covered more than 5,600 acres of Southern California as of Wednesday morning. Tens of thousands were under mandatory evacuation orders but the fires increased in size overnight, helped by the blustery Santa Ana winds.

Extreme wind conditions across Southern California will raise the fire danger level to the maximum today, with Red Flag Warnings in place for much of the area. In addition to the Red Flag Warnings, there are High Wind Warnings in place,

High pressure is building from the north and that will help to tighten the pressure gradient over southern California, producing more gusty winds.

Santa Ana winds are one of the nation's most notorious wind events and an ongoing weather hazard in Southern California.